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As Joel Javines, Director of Campus Police, signaled with a checkered flag, GCCCD employees waved to the crowd as they rode in a Corvette convertible provided by Bob Baker Chevrolet of El Cajon.

“It’s obvious that parking lots are popular around here,” GCCCD Governing Board President Bill Garrett told the crowd. “You don’t see this turnout for a major building opening.”

The ribbon cutting for the parking structure marked the culmination of Grossmont’s “Students First” campaign that involved faculty, staff and administrators using different modes of transportation in order to leave extra spaces for students during the past year of construction. Instead of driving alone in their cars, some employees commuted to their jobs using bicycles, motorcycles and scooters, while others caught a ride to the campus from friends and family members.

As the college lost several hundred parking spaces while construction progressed, free rides were provided on shuttle buses for employees who parked at a 500-space lot near Gillespie Field in El Cajon. Students, in addition, were encouraged to use public transportation or carpool, and avoid parking along residential streets in surrounding neighborhoods. A soccer field on the north end of the campus also became a parking lot for students.

“We lost 800 parking spaces during the year of construction,” said Grossmont President Sunny Cooke in her remarks at the event. “However, as part of the Students First campaign, we demonstrated our commitment to provide ample parking on campus for our students, even when it wasn’t convenient to do so. We feel that our new parking structure represents a win-win for the students, employees and neighbors who live near the campus. Our goal remains to minimize disruptions to the traffic flow, and provide as much parking as possible for our students.”

Speakers at the ribbon cutting included Cooke, Garrett, GCCCD Chancellor Cindy L. Miles, 2009-2010 ASGC President Marc Valenzuela and Joel Javines.

“Taking away 800 parking spaces and asking everyone to park somewhere else so that students could continue to park at the college -- I have never seen this kind of support at an institution, even nationally,” said Miles. “Everyone was involved in this project. When neighbors were calling their elected officials about the impact of the parking situation, the (faculty) academic senate and students launched a pick-up-the-litter campaign.”

Valenzuela said, “Parking is a common, frequent complaint of students. Anything that will make parking easier, we’re in favor of. So, we’re grateful to East County voters who approved Proposition R bond measure back in 2002 so that this parking structure can be built. We’re also grateful to the faculty, staff and administrators who parked off-campus at Gillespie Field. At AGSC, we will continue to do our part to encourage the wise use of parking and a green environment, including car-pooling and bicycle riding.”

Javines said, “The new police building will mean an improvement in parking services -- the issuing of parking permits, for example. The campus will have a distinct building that people will know they can go to for parking assistance and public safety.”

Additional speakers included Marti Emerald, San Diego City Council member, El Cajon City Council member Gary Kendrick and Santee Vice Mayor Brian Jones.

“This new structure has an impact on the quality of life of several thousands of people beyond the campus,” said Emerald.

Kendrick recalled his own personal experience as a student at Grossmont College, and Jones commented on the attractive painted colors.

The ceremony also included the unveiling of a bronze plaque by Karen Lanning, Chair of Prop. R Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC member). Also attending the event from the CBOC was Sharon Bullard, (CBOC member). The CBOC is overseeing the expenditures of construction costs for the parking structure and other buildings that have been, and will be, financed by the $207 million, Proposition R bond measure that East County voters approved in 2002.

A number of special guests attended the ribbon cutting. GCCCD Governing Board members included Board Vice President Deanna Weeks, Board Clerk Greg Barr and Board member Mary Kay Rosinki, along with Student Trustees Christopher Enders from Grossmont and Charles Taylor III from Cuyamaca.

There were a number of officials from local cities: La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, La Mesa City Council member Ernest Ewin and City Manager Sandi Kerl.

Other elected officials included Jim Maletic from the Padre Dam Water District Board, De Ann Verbeke and Charles Muse from the Helix Water District Board and Gloria Chadwick from the Grossmont Healthcare District Board.

Representing local elected officials included Rick Terrazas with U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter, Ellen Malin with State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, Alex Sanchez with State Assemblyman Joel Anderson and Rich Grosch with State Assemblyman Marty Block.

Representing the County of San Diego were Lee Ann Lardy, project manager, Airports Real Estate, Eric Nelson, Airports Engineer, and Lidia Sosinsky, Property Agent.

Gafcon, the project manager, was represented by Ken Emmons, Project Manager for the parking structure, and Jim Davies, Program Manager. Also represented was International Parking Design, the architect, and McCarthy Building Companies, the general contractor.